Hi Guys... I just joined your website.... very glad to see that you guys exist! I have a problem with intermittent directional signals working. They sometimes flash fast and sometimes not at all. I've changed the flasher relay at the fuseblock twice...changed the switch wire harness in the steering column..... checked and or replaced all directional lights and front side marker lights. Everything seems ok. I believe I have a bad ground wire/connection somewhere but can't find it. Is there a ground wire that runs to the steering column for the signal switch harness? If so what color and position would it be? Is there a power wire or ground wire at the fuseblock that may have an intermittent connection....and how would I be able to check. If you have any other recommendations or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help. Regards, Ron

 

Welcome!

So your hazard flashers should work REALLY well...

That's the flasher module for the four way hazard flashers, not the turn signals. The turn signal flasher is behind the dash on a pigtail to the left of the steering column, sort of behind the wiper switch. The flasher is SUPPOSED to be inserted in a clip that is attached to the metal lower dash, but I've rarely found it in the clip. It's usually just loose.

 

If the dash indicator stays lit solid, you have a bad bulb or an open circuit in that side. Make sure you use the 1157 bulbs or 1157A. The front and rear lights are grounded through the connections to the bumper. Check that.
If the lights are flashing very quickly, it's likely the flasher that's the problem. Don't for a second think you have a good flasher even if you just replaced it.

Check your hazard light operation. If it works fine, that's the flasher in the fusebox. Take it out and substitute it into the flasher connector under the dash by the steering column.

 

 

Hi Guys.... Eureka !!! Thank you Joe for leading me to the location of the Directional Flasher Relay. It was buried up under the Air Conditioning plenum, up in the frame of the dash next to the steering column.....completely out of sight in it's original metal clip ! I was able to find it using the blind search method.....naturally with the battery disconnected.
I installed the new relay and the problem was solved.


Thanks very much to you Joe!
Best Regards,
Ron

 

Glad that worked for you. This is one of Oldsmobile's design decisions that completely mystifies me. The turn signal flasher is used far more frequently and thus is much more likely to go bad over time, yet this is the one that is hidden and nearly impossible to reach. Go figure.

 

Cadillac also put them in the same location. This is where the factory service manual is most valuable, locating a part that defies reason as to where it is installed.